Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Amit Shah Accuses Mamata of Delaying Bengal Border Fencing
Amit Shah said West Bengal needed land to build fences along the India-Bangladesh border.
He accused Mamata Banerjee’s former government of not giving the land after repeated requests.
Shah said he had asked for 1,129 acres since 2014.
He said the land was approved after Suvendu Adhikari’s government came to power.
He also said 560 acres were needed to protect the Siliguri Corridor.
Shah announced a new border security headquarters in Siliguri.
He said security forces were using drones, cameras, artificial intelligence and other tools.
Adhikari promised that the state would work with central security agencies.
The reports do not include a response from Banerjee or her government.
Amit Shah alleged that Mamata Banerjee’s government failed to provide 1,129 acres requested since 2014 for India-Bangladesh border fencing.
Shah said the land was approved after Suvendu Adhikari’s government took office and praised its prompt responses to security requests.
He said 560 additional acres were needed to strengthen the sensitive Siliguri Corridor.
Shah announced a border security administration headquarters in Siliguri on an 80-acre plot and cited advanced surveillance technologies.
Adhikari pledged coordination with central agencies, saying West Bengal had handed 242 kilometres to the Border Security Force for security work.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.
- What
- Shah accused Banerjee’s government of delaying land approvals for India-Bangladesh border fencing and praised Adhikari’s government for approving security-related land.
- When
- Friday, August 21, during the second day of Shah’s three-day north Bengal tour.
- Where
- An Sashastra Seema Bal programme at its frontier headquarters in Siliguri, West Bengal.
- Why
- Shah said the land was needed to strengthen border security, complete fencing and protect the Siliguri Corridor.
Shah and Adhikari’s Claims
Banerjee’s Position
Land approvals
Shah and Adhikari’s Claims
Shah alleged that Mamata Banerjee’s government failed to provide 1,129 acres for India-Bangladesh border fencing and 560 acres for the Siliguri Corridor. He said Adhikari’s government approved the land promptly.
Banerjee’s Position
The reports contain allegations against Mamata Banerjee but provide no response from her or her government.
Participation in security-force programmes
Shah and Adhikari’s Claims
Shah said previous West Bengal chief ministers did not attend Sashastra Seema Bal or Border Security Force programmes despite invitations, and praised Adhikari for attending.
Banerjee’s Position
The reports do not provide Banerjee’s explanation for her reported absence from such programmes.
Border-security coordination
Shah and Adhikari’s Claims
Shah and Adhikari called for close cooperation between the state government, the Centre and security agencies to improve border security and curb smuggling and other cross-border activities.
Banerjee’s Position
The reports include no opposing policy or response from Banerjee’s government.
- Land requested for border fencing
- 1,129 acres, according to Amit Shah.
- Year requests began
- 2014, according to Shah.
- Land requested for the Siliguri Corridor
- 560 acres, according to Shah.
- Planned security headquarters
- A border security administration headquarters was announced for Siliguri on an 80-acre plot.
- Border area handed to the BSF
- Suvendu Adhikari said West Bengal had handed over 242 kilometres to the Border Security Force.
- Security technologies cited
- Drones, anti-drone systems, thermal imaging, artificial-intelligence-based surveillance, smart surveillance grids and real-time intelligence sharing.
- Legal-system exhibition
- The exhibition “Five Pillars: Transformed Justice System” on the new criminal laws was held in Siliguri through August 26.
Sources
Shah attacks Mamata over delay in Indo-Bangla fencing; says his ‘repeated pleas’ fell on deaf ears
Union Home Minister Amit Shah Slams TMC Over Delay In Providing Land For Border Fencing
Amit Shah targets Mamata over delay in Indo-Bangla border fencing in Bengal
‘Asking from 2014’: Mamata didn’t give land for border fencing, says Amit Shah
